Selecting what college or university to attend can be a tough decision. Make your life easier by using these 4 FREE Resources to Aid in the College Search.
1. College Admissions Office-Nothing beats an on campus visit for learning first-hand about a school. College admissions offices will gladly assist you in arranging a tour, as well as, provide you with detailed information about the university, admissions deadlines, and financial aid options. Some schools, through their admissions personnel, even offer mini summer programs to high schoolers so that they can stay on campus for a few days and get a much more in-depth feel for the college environment.
2. High School Guidance Counselor-Most guidance counselors these days juggle an array of responsibilities, but generally possess considerable knowledge of college options regionally and nationally. They know what college admission teams look for on applications and in essays. Also, and so importantly, they can alert you to scholarship opportunities and serve as valuable references.
Parents and students, get to know the counselor(s) in the early high school years so that they can help guide you through the college search process over time.
3. Peterson’s Colleges and Universities Guide-This well-known name in test prep and career explorations resources, also offers detailed online information about more than 4,000 colleges and universities, online schools and graduate programs. Use the site’s free easy college search tool to pull up data on individual schools. This intel includes total student population, male-female ratio, in and out-of-state tuition costs, and average test scores on ACT and SAT. Also, find acceptance rates, degrees available, and detailed intel on student body and faculty composition.
Additionally, on the site you can search a database of more than 1.5 million available scholarships, grants, fellowships, prizes & forgivable loans. By setting up a free account on the Peterson’s site, you will receive access to full application information.
4. School Ranking Service-Although you should approach all college rankings with a healthy awareness that they are subjective and lucrative, this information can be helpful to your college search. U.S. News & World Report offers rankings that are updated yearly and are searchable. Ranking categories include national universities, liberal arts colleges, regional universities, regional colleges, best value schools, and top public schools. Also, search is available by state, particular degree programs, and for graduate schools.
To unlock full ranking profiles, you must pay for a yearly subscription. I believe, though, in combination with the Peterson’s Guide, the free information can provide you with valuable information.
College searches, in and of themselves, are hard enough so why not take advantage of the fantastic free resources that are available to you. They can make such a difference in finding a good college fit.
For more tips:
6 Great Places to Find College Scholarships
40 Useful Things to Put In College Gift Baskets
